Prophetic Vigilance and the Gifts of the Spirit

 

Summary

In our exploration of the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39, we find ourselves in a time where these ancient predictions seem closer to reality than ever before. These chapters speak of a coalition of nations, led by Russia, moving against Israel to seize something of great value. While we must be cautious not to hastily interpret current events as direct fulfillments of prophecy, we are indeed in a prophetic window that makes such scenarios plausible. This is not merely an academic exercise; it is a call for believers to remain vigilant, interpreting current events through the lens of Scripture rather than the other way around. Recent developments, such as Israel's deal with Turkey to supply Europe with gas, add an intriguing layer to these prophecies, reminding us of Jesus' words to look up when these things begin to happen, for our redemption draws near.

Transitioning to our study in 1 Corinthians 12, we delve into the gifts of the Spirit. Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding these gifts, urging us not to be ignorant. The gifts are varied, given by the Spirit for the profit of all, and should be exercised with love and balance. The church is called to avoid the extremes of cessationism, which denies the current operation of spiritual gifts, and sensationalism, which seeks chaotic expressions of the Spirit. Instead, we are to pursue a balanced approach, recognizing the gifts as gateways to service rather than goals in themselves.

The gifts of the Spirit are diverse, reflecting God's love for variety. They are not earned but given, and they serve the purpose of building up the body of Christ. As we explore these gifts, we are reminded that they are not about self-exaltation but about serving others and glorifying Christ. The Spirit's work in us should lead to a life that overflows with living water, blessing those around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prophetic Vigilance: We live in a time where the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39 seem increasingly relevant. While we must be cautious not to hastily interpret current events as direct fulfillments, we are called to remain vigilant, interpreting these events through the lens of Scripture. This vigilance is not about fear but about hope, as we look forward to our redemption. [01:45]

2. Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Paul urges us not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. These gifts are varied and given by the Spirit for the profit of all. They are not about self-exaltation but about serving others and glorifying Christ. Understanding and exercising these gifts with love and balance is crucial for the health of the church. [16:23]

3. Avoiding Extremes: The church must avoid the extremes of cessationism, which denies the current operation of spiritual gifts, and sensationalism, which seeks chaotic expressions of the Spirit. A balanced approach recognizes the gifts as gateways to service rather than goals in themselves, ensuring they are used for the edification of the body. [24:29]

4. Gifts as Gateways: Spiritual gifts are not the ultimate goal but gateways to service. They are given to build up the body of Christ and to serve others. The true goal is to use these gifts to bless others, becoming fountains of living water that refresh and uplift those around us. [51:44]

5. The Spirit's Work in Us: The Holy Spirit's work in us should lead to a life that overflows with living water, blessing those around us. This is not about making noise but about moving forward in our Christian walk, allowing the Spirit to control and guide us in all things. [33:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:45] - Prophetic Context and Current Events
- [06:03] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 12
- [08:32] - The Power of the Spirit
- [10:46] - Spiritual Gifts Overview
- [13:36] - Balance in Spiritual Gifts
- [15:07] - Avoiding Extremes: Cessationism and Sensationalism
- [19:03] - Misinterpretations of Spiritual Gifts
- [22:36] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
- [24:29] - Sensationalism in the Church
- [28:43] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [30:43] - The Work of the Spirit in Believers
- [33:20] - Rivers of Living Water
- [36:22] - Control in Spiritual Gifts
- [39:45] - Glorifying Christ Through the Spirit

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ezekiel 38-39
2. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
3. John 7:37-39

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the coalition of nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and how does it relate to current events? [01:45]

2. According to 1 Corinthians 12, what is the purpose of spiritual gifts, and how are they meant to be used within the church? [11:52]

3. How does the sermon describe the balance between cessationism and sensationalism regarding spiritual gifts? [24:29]

4. What analogy does the pastor use to describe the power of the Holy Spirit, and how does it relate to spiritual gifts? [09:40]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the recent developments between Israel and Turkey be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecies in Ezekiel 38 and 39? What caution does the pastor advise when interpreting these events? [01:45]

2. In what ways does Paul emphasize the importance of understanding spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, and why is this understanding crucial for the church's health? [16:23]

3. How does the sermon suggest believers should approach the extremes of cessationism and sensationalism, and what is the recommended balanced approach? [24:29]

4. What does the pastor mean by saying that spiritual gifts are "gateways to service" rather than goals in themselves, and how does this perspective affect the use of gifts in the church? [51:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the current events in the world today. How can you remain vigilant and interpret these events through the lens of Scripture without succumbing to fear? [01:45]

2. Consider the spiritual gifts you believe you have. How can you use these gifts to serve others and glorify Christ in your daily life? [11:52]

3. Have you ever experienced or witnessed the extremes of cessationism or sensationalism in a church setting? How did it affect your understanding or use of spiritual gifts? [24:29]

4. In what ways can you ensure that your use of spiritual gifts is balanced and rooted in love, avoiding self-exaltation? [11:52]

5. How can you cultivate a life that overflows with "living water," as described in John 7:37-39, to bless those around you? [33:20]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you to grow or serve. What steps can you take this week to follow that leading? [30:43]

7. Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you in a decision or action. How did that experience impact your faith, and how can you seek more of such guidance in your life? [30:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Prophetic Vigilance in Our Times
In the current global landscape, the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39 appear increasingly relevant. These chapters describe a coalition of nations, led by Russia, moving against Israel to seize something of great value. While it is crucial not to hastily interpret current events as direct fulfillments of prophecy, believers are called to remain vigilant, interpreting these events through the lens of Scripture. This vigilance is not about fear but about hope, as we look forward to our redemption. Recent developments, such as Israel's deal with Turkey to supply Europe with gas, add an intriguing layer to these prophecies, reminding us of Jesus' words to look up when these things begin to happen, for our redemption draws near. [01:45]

"For the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a hopeful vigilance in your daily life, looking for signs of God's work in the world around you?


Day 2: Embracing the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
Paul urges believers not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts, which are varied and given by the Spirit for the profit of all. These gifts are not about self-exaltation but about serving others and glorifying Christ. Understanding and exercising these gifts with love and balance is crucial for the health of the church. The gifts of the Spirit are diverse, reflecting God's love for variety. They are not earned but given, and they serve the purpose of building up the body of Christ. As believers explore these gifts, they are reminded that they are not about self-exaltation but about serving others and glorifying Christ. [16:23]

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual gift do you feel God has given you, and how can you use it to serve others in your community this week?


Day 3: Navigating the Extremes in Spiritual Practice
The church is called to avoid the extremes of cessationism, which denies the current operation of spiritual gifts, and sensationalism, which seeks chaotic expressions of the Spirit. A balanced approach recognizes the gifts as gateways to service rather than goals in themselves, ensuring they are used for the edification of the body. This balance is essential for maintaining the health and unity of the church, allowing the Spirit to work effectively through its members. By avoiding these extremes, believers can focus on the true purpose of spiritual gifts: to build up the body of Christ and serve others. [24:29]

"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where you might be leaning towards an extreme? How can you seek a more balanced approach?


Day 4: Spiritual Gifts as Gateways to Service
Spiritual gifts are not the ultimate goal but gateways to service. They are given to build up the body of Christ and to serve others. The true goal is to use these gifts to bless others, becoming fountains of living water that refresh and uplift those around us. This perspective shifts the focus from personal gain to communal growth, encouraging believers to use their gifts selflessly. By viewing spiritual gifts as tools for service, believers can better align their actions with the mission of the church and the teachings of Christ. [51:44]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your spiritual gifts to become a source of blessing and encouragement to someone in your life today?


Day 5: The Overflowing Work of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work in believers should lead to a life that overflows with living water, blessing those around them. This is not about making noise but about moving forward in the Christian walk, allowing the Spirit to control and guide in all things. The Spirit's presence in a believer's life should result in tangible expressions of love, joy, peace, and other fruits that positively impact others. By yielding to the Spirit's guidance, believers can experience a deeper relationship with God and a more profound influence on their communities. [33:20]

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:38, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you more fully, so that your life overflows with blessings for those around you?

Quotes

A few weeks ago, if you recall, on a Wednesday night, I kind of did a quick snapshot overview of the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39, which predict a movement of nations, a coalition of nations in the last days headed by Russia coming down to Israel to get something very valuable. [00:00:17]

But we are in a situation where that prophecy has never been closer to a manifestation. It was written 2,600 years ago. We're at least in a prophetic window that makes all that possible that hitherto has not been possible. [00:00:56]

And though I never want to look at tragedy like this simply from an academic or theological viewpoint or an outsider's viewpoint, when things like this happen, believers naturally ask why and what does this mean? And not that we can always answer the question, what does this mean? [00:01:15]

But we do keep our eyes on it, and we do examine the Scripture in light of what we see, and our lens is always a scriptural lens. We don't interpret Scripture based on current events. We interpret it based on the events that we see. We interpret current events based on Scripture. [00:01:34]

And I never want to say that we're seeing that happen now, because because you never know. In the fog of war, a lot of things change. [00:00:47]

So we're always looking and thinking, what does this mean? How does it play out? And of course, we don't know, and we get involved, and we alleviate suffering, and we do what we can in the midst of it. However, from that viewpoint, once again, just to add a little bit to that, something happened today that I thought you should know about, and that is the president of Israel, not the prime minister Naftali Bennett, the president, Isaac Herzog, flew to Turkey to meet with the head of Turkey, Erdogan, and to strike the deal of deals, to make a deal with Turkey, since so much oil has been purchased and dependence upon Russia has been used by nations in Europe. Up to this point, they've gotten their fuel, their oil, etc. from Russia. Israel has struck a deal to supply, to be the new supplier of Europe by giving a pipeline, since Israel has struck a deal to supply, to be the new supplier of Europe by giving a pipeline, since Israel [00:01:52]

has discovered massive reserves of gas and oil off its coast, and they have undersea wells, and they have struck a deal today. They're talking about the deal of bringing a pipeline to feed Europe that would go through Turkey. Now, that just adds an interesting complexion to the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39, especially when Israel has something that valuable that would eventually attract someone to go in and wage a war against it. Again, not making any wagers or saying this is it, but I do remember what Jesus said, that when these things begin to take place, lift up your eyes, look up, for your redemption draws near. So it's just, it's something we look at and go, very interesting. [00:03:01]

Father, thank you for the Word of God. Thank you for the testimony of Scripture. Thank you for Paul the Apostle, moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this letter that became part of Holy Writ. And we hold to it and we model ourselves and our practices after the entire body of Scripture, hopefully, in which we pray that you would add to our understanding and the balance of our understanding and our practice, especially within the church, that we might exercise the gifts you have given us with the love and unity in the Spirit that would consider everyone involved. [00:06:14]

There's a key word I want you to have and know and have under your belt as we go through spiritual gifts. It's the word balance. When it comes to this area especially, we should be balanced. And I say that because I think, my opinion is, I feel that many churches, many movements are not all that balanced. [00:12:31]

I think there's truth in every movement of Orthodox Christianity, every basic denomination that is Orthodox in its beliefs. There's truth, but I think that in many of them, there is a little bit of imbalance. [00:12:58]

So when it comes to gifts of the Spirit, there are extremes. And there are people who want to put you in one of those extremes. Kind of move you there instead of letting you keep balance. It's important but hard to maintain balance. [00:13:18]

But balance is so important. If you play a sport, they'll tell you you need to work on your balance. If you want to get this golf swing right, you're not hitting it like a baseball bat, hitting a baseball. You've got to have a certain rhythm and a certain balance and a certain muscle memory. So balance is important in everything. [00:13:36]

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